STRANGE TIMES

Review - Institute of Public Affairs, Sep 2008

Fun for the whole family

New Russian laws are making it illegal to dress 'emo'-a subculture fashion inspired by hardcore punk, goth and indie music-following criticism that the emo culture encourages anti-social behavior and glorifies suicide. The new laws regulate emo culture websites and ban emo and gothic dress styles in schools and government buildings. Emo kids have gathered on mass to protest in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, with the support of their favourite bands and brandishing banners saying, 'a totalitarian state encourages stupidity.'

Monash council dumps late night trash cops

Melbourne residents have been woken in the early morning to find recycling inspectors rummaging through their garbage with head torches. Scoop Enterprises Pty Ltd has been contracted by many Melbourne councils to ensure prohibited items don't find their way into recycling bins. Monash City Council recently put an end to midnight inspections following a spate of complaints from frightened residents.

Put that hair back

Clyde Scott, a barber in Louisiana, was recently fined by police for breaching a 1966 Houma city ordinance prohibiting the barbershops from opening on Mondays. Clyde confessed ignorance of the 42 year old provision. District attorneys later dropped charges after media attention, stating that they have no record of the law ever being previously enforced.

Fashion police

A Flint, Michigan, police policy targets wearers of saggy pants exposing underwear with indecent assault. The American Civil Liberties Union plans to challenge the policy after Flint Police Chief David Dicks refused to give in to ACLU demands to drop the policy. Dicks refuses to back down until youths pull up their pants and start using belts.

If you talk and walk, you're a bloody idiot

An Illinois General Assembly Bill has been introduced to ban Chicago pedestrians from using mobile phones while crossing the street. Pedestrians will be charged with a misdemeanour and fined $25 for texting while crossing a road. State Representative Ken Dunkin hopes the legislation will stop people 'haplessly crossing an intersection and almost killing themselves.'

All tax is 'voluntary'

Seattle City Council has approved a new tax on supermarket bags. A tax of 20 US cents on each paper or plastic bag used will be phased in by next January. Council President Richard Conlin described the tax as a Voluntary fee' stating 'no one has to pay it. You only have to pay it if you chose not to use reusable bags.' By this logic, income tax is also voluntary-simply choose not to work.